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Romans Commentary Chapters 9-16  /  Romans 9:10-13 the Two Nations from Jacob and Esau Part One  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
The lesson compares Romans 9 with Galatians 4 where Paul allegorizes Sarah/Hagar as “two covenants” and says the flesh-born persecutes the Spirit-born “so also it is now”; where do you see forms of “fleshly religion” persecuting “spiritual” obedience today (including within Christianity), and what concrete choices would mark you as part of the “Israel of God” rather than merely part of a religious culture?
Another way to ask: Where do you see “fleshly religion” attacking real obedience to God today, even inside Christianity? What specific choices would show you belong to the “Israel of God” and not just to a religious culture?

Direct Answer The transcript doesn’t directly name present-day examples of persecution within Christianity, but it does present a framework: “fleshly” identity relies on outward descent or culture, while the “Israel of God” is defined by belonging to the promise through faith and God’s call. Concrete choices, by inference from Bercot’s emphasis, would include responding to the gospel in faith and then living the “essential” good works that follow salvation rather than trusting heritage.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot says Paul’s argument is about “two peoples… fleshly Israel and spiritual Israel, the Israel of God.”
  • The “Israel of God” is “comprised of both believing Jews and Gentiles,” not those who merely have ethnic or fleshly connection.
  • God chose Gentiles because He “foreknew how they would respond to the gospel message.”
  • He stresses that being in the right lineage proves little: even Esau, Abraham’s grandson, could be rejected.
  • He quotes Galatians 4: those “born according to the flesh” persecuted those “born according to the Spirit… so also it is now” (Paul’s framing, not Bercot’s examples).
  • Ethical marker after entry: “good works are essential after our initial salvation.”
Discussion Follow-ups What “religious culture” signals do we confuse with being part of the promise? If good works are essential after salvation, what specific obediences would most clearly demonstrate a Spirit-born life in your setting?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10
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